Coin-controlled apparatus.



No. 884,441. y PATENTBD APR; 14, 1908.

J. A. wEsER. A G01N coN'rRoLLn APPARATUS.

`APIE'LIOA'lIOI FILED JUNE 23. 1906.

8 SHEETS-SERIE 1.

AAN.

WW1/wwe@ MIA 1M No. 884,441. PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

. J. A. WESER.

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J ugento/c witnesses www Nb. 884,441. PATBNTED APR. 14, 190s. J. A. wEsBR.

com coNTRoLLBn APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

@Mkb/Leones JOHN A. WESER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

com-CONTROLLED APPAATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 14, 1908.

Application led I une 23, 1906. Serial No. 322,998.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. WEsEE, a citizen of the United States, residing in thel borough of Manhattan, of the city of New York, Stateof New York, have invented cer` .tain new and useful Improvements in Coin- Controlled Apparatus,` of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof. J

This invention relates to vending, displaying, and other a paratus adapted to be o erated or to be re eased for operation by t e insertion of a coin. Ordinarily the introduction of a sin le coin in coin controlled apparatus permits ut one o eration of such apparatus. It is not possi le in such apparatuses, as usually constructed, to provide, or example, for the delivery of six ackages for five cents Where one is delivered for one cent, nor to provide for the display ofLseveral series of pictures b the introduction `of a single coin of suitab e denomination, nor for the performance of a series of musical selections upon an automatic musical instrument upon the introduction of a single coin of suitabley denomination.l

apparatus, whether of one kind or another,

may be operated or released for operation several times in succession upon thel introduction of a coin of a predetermined value. The delivery of each package, or the display of each series of pictures, or the performance of each musical selection, orwhatever yother operation is provided for, moves the controlling devices one step toward the initial or stopping position, so that when the value of the inserted coin has been delivered, whether one form or another, no further operation of the mechanism shall be possible until another coin is introduced.

The invention is shown and described herein as applied to an automatic musical instrument, somewhat as shown in Letters -Patent of the UnitedStates No. 681,765

dated September 3, 1901, although the'construction of the musical instrument Ashown herein differs considerably from what is shown in said patent, while the coin Vcontrolled devices, or those immediately affected by the insertion of a coin are altogether novel in the respects hereinafter described.

frontelevation` o Vportions of .a piano to In said drawin s Figure 1 is apview in.

which the present improvements are applied, the front casing being removed and the coinl operated devices being represented as separated from the piano. Fig. 2 is a view .thereof in vertical transverse section. Fig. 3 is a detail view in front elevation and partly broken out of a portion of the music sheet winding devices and reversing mechanism. Fig. 4 is a top view of some of' the parts shown in Fig. 3.v Fig. 5 isa top view ofthe coin operated devices, the casing being shown in sect-ion. Figs. 6 and 7v are detail views of the coin operated lmechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail view, partly lin front elevation, artly in isometric perspective and partlv diagrammatic, illustrating the electrica connections. Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of the casing containing the coin operated mechanism shown in Figs. 58. Fig. 10 is a detail view in side elevation of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figs. .5#8.

In the embodiment of the invention represented in Figs. 1 to 10 of the drawings the coin operated mechanism is arranged to control a'motor a which operates pumps b b which air is supplied to the equalizmg be lows c, c of an automatic piano. The piano hammers, not shown, areactuated by' pneumatics d, which are-connected with the bellows c, c', lthe neumatics d being connected as usual, by tuhes d', with a tracker board d2. The perforated music sheet e is wound from one to another of a pair of rollers f', which are driven through driving an reversing mechanism of usual character, sufliclently shown, by an air motor f2 which is connected as usual with the main bellows.

The driving and reversing mechanism for the music sheet rolls is usually operated by hand through suitable intermediate devices, but in the present instance its main operating shaft f 4, shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, is operated through the medium of a crank arm f5 and rod f,having thereon two buttons f7, by one or the-other of two pneumaticsf8 and {18. The pneumatic f8 acts through the right and button f 7 to reverse the mechanism for unwindin the music sheet from the take up roll f an -tlfe pneumatic acts through the left' hand button ff7 to shift the reversing mechanism again or the pur ose of driving the take up roll f ahead. e neumatics. are connected by air pi es fw andp .11 res ectively withvents'd3 an d* 1n o posite en s of the tracker board, so that Wlien the 'music' sheet e has been fullyowound upon the take w1th the vent d* to permit the other pneu;v

up roll f', the perforation e therein ates with the vent d3 in the tracker board to permit the corresponding pneumatic to collapse and shift the reversing mechanism so that the music sheet shall be rewound. upon the supply roll, and when. the music sheet has been thus wholly r'ewound upon the supply roll, the perforation e2 therein coperates and in the drawings are illustrated certainl electrically operated devices which will now be described.

The coin operated devices with which the invention is particularly concerned and which are illustrated herein as applied to an automatic musical instrument are placed in a suitable case g which may be located at any convenient point, being connected, in the application illustrated, with the motor a through suitable connections. The coin operated devices comprise one or more coin chutes g each of which, in the construction shown, is provided with two'terminals gr2 and g3 of an electric circuit including a battery g4 and an electro magnetgg". The two terminals are so arranged as to be bridged by the coin, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and one of the terminals, as g3, is made movable, as by being pivoted, as shown, so as to release the coin after the circuit has been completed and permit it to descend into the money box. As shown, the armature g is mounted upon a spring arm g7 which carries a secondaryarm g for cooperation with the movable terminal' g3, so that when the circuit is completed by the vcoin and themagnet g5 is ener izedthe movement of the armature q shal lift the terminal g3 to release the coin. The arm g7 also carries a pawl g9 for cooperation with a corresponding ratchet wheel mounted on a shaft /1/. The pawl gg is so placed with respect to the ratchetwheel h or hx that when t e pawl is in normal or inoperative position it does not interfere with the free movement of the ratchet wheel in a direction opposite to that which is occasioned by the action of the awl. The shaft h also carries two metallic isks h2 and h3 upon which bear corresponding terminals h and h5 of the circuit which includes the motor a and the source of electrical energynot shown. One of the disks, as h3, carries a block h of insulating material i which not only breaks the motor circuit when it reaches the corresponding terminal coperh5, but 'also acts as a mechanical stop` toprevent the further rotation of the shaft in the backward direction, that is, in a direction opposite to that occasioned by the pawl g.- There is also mounted upon the shatt h another ratchet wheel h?, the teeth of which are oppositely placed with respect to those of ratchet wheel h, and are engaged by an oppositely acting pawl i, which also, inV its normal position stands outofengagement with the 'wheel so as to permit free rotationv thereof. The' pawl 'if is carried by a lever arm 'i' upon which is fixed the armature 'L' of an electric circuit which includes an electro magnet "L3 and ay battery i. The terminals i and i of the last named circuite are controlled by the delivering mechanism, whether operated by hand, as indicated in Fig. 8, or otherwise, as indicated, for example, in Fig. 3, wherein the terminals of thecircuit are indicated as being under control of the music sheet. As shown, one side of the circuit is connected to the metallic surface of the\ tracker board d', and the other to a contact spring i5. The music sheetis notched as at e3 and e4, so thatwhen 'one of such notches passes over the trackerboard contact between the spring 'i5 and the metallic surface of the tracker board d2 is permitted and the magnet i3 is there upon energized, attracting its armature 'i' and, through the pawl fi, rotating the wheel k7 and the shaft h one step backward, bringing the ber block h one step nearer the termlna h5. The motor continues to operate, however, and the music sheet to travel, until the notches in its edge haveassed beneath the contact spring i5 and the lock h? is brought under and against the end of the 'terminal h5,

thereby breaking the `motor circuit and stepping the further operation of the instrument. It is necessary to prevent the action yof pawl i through the completion of"the circuit by the contact spring i5 when the music sheet is being rewound upon the supply roll. To this en d, provision is made whereby the contact spring i5 is moved away from the music sheet and the tracker board when the music sheet motor isl reversed. 1n.the arrangement shown in the drawings an arm f" is secured to the shaft f4 of the reversing 'gear controlling devices and is arran ed to coperate with the extended arm k o a bell crank lever, the other arm 7c of which underlies the contact springr i5. When, therefore, the gearing is shifted to rewind the music sheet the spring contact c is slightly swung away from the contact strip dz and held away until the reversing gear is again shifted.

If the deliverin devices, which in the illustration adopted erein comprise the music sheet and its actuating means, are not operated automatically but are o erated by hand, as in ordinary vending mac ines, then each actuation of the delivering mechanism. by hand is made to return the controllingfdevicesone step or stage nearer `to the stopping point, represented in the illustration by impact of the block h against .the terminal. h5, as each delivery is made, any suitable hand operated device being used for this purpose, a switch i 'i7 bein shown in Fig. 8.

It will be observed t at by reason of the two o erating ratchets h and hX, the shaft h wil be rotated to different degrees by the two actuating pawls D, carrying the stop h -of the contact disk lila 'further away from the terminal vh in the one case than in the other, and -that ifone of the pawls g advances the shaft through one s ace or step, thi'ou `h which it will be moved backward by a sing e operationof the resetting pawl-fi, it

will moved forward through a plurality of" spaces or steps bythe Vcoperation of the other pawlg9 with the ratchet wheel h, which v is 'here shown as having half the number of teeth of the ratchet hx, and that a plurality nations, such as a nickel and a'dime, `are em` p'loyed, as represented in Fig. 8, .the insertion of a tnickel in the proper ycoin chute, acting through the pawl lg and ratchet wheel hX,

vvwill `produce-a forward movement of the rshaft h through but one space or step, so .that but one operation of the resetting pawl i ais required to return the mechanism t0 a positionof rest, while the insertion of .a dime in the corresponding chute g', actin through the operating awl and the ratc et h, will advance the sA aft i through a plurality -of spaces or steps, permittin thedelivering mechanism lto be actuate a plurality "of, times in successionbefore the mechanism is returned to the position of rest. It will' be obvious that this arrangement might lbe extended to provide for a proportionate opera- :tion of the instrument byany one of a greater num-ber lof different coins.

f corresponding :ratchet wheel, .holding the As shown vin Iig. 10, thel shank* of each ipa-wl g .rests against the periphery ofthe tooth of the pawlout of range of the teeth -of the wheelwhen the awl is in its normal position, of rest. in t e case of the resetting .pawl i, Aas shown in lig.5, its head 'is suitably shaped to coperate with a lined` pin fia-, so .that as thepawl returns' to iformal position its toothis carried out of .the range of :the

teeth of3 the'wheei `h". 'in :this manner the pawlsg" and fi, areheld out of range of the the difference in size and in number bf teeth of respective wheels when in normal osition,

so that the shaft is free to be tiirned y either pawl in the proper direction. As also shown in tigs. 6, 7 and 10, .the awls g are preferably pivoted, as at glo to t e respective carrying arnis 97, and have secured t ereto-springs g which bear respectively upon the arms.

The pawls are0 therefore free to yield as required in the movements of the arms;

It will be understood that various mechanisrrs might beplrovided for accomplishing the result at whic this invention aims, that is, the delivery through successive operations of the delivering mechanismof a lurality of articles of merchandise, musica selections, etc. in return for a coin of fixed value, the insertion of which determines the number of such operations of the delivering mechanism, and that the invention, therefore, is not limited4 tothe particular devices shown'and described herein. It will alsrrbe yunderstood that while provision may be made, if desired, for the operation of the delivering mechanism two or more times in succession upon the introduction of a com of vlarger value, and once only upon the introduction of a ycoin of smaller val'ue, the devices which rovide fora plurality of opera-u tions upon the introduction of a single coin iray be used Without the devices which provide for the single operation upon the introduction of a single coin. Furthermore, while reference is iiade herein to delivery devices or delivery mechanism, it be understood that such term i-s employed with a significa- :tion broader than that which it ordinarily has, including in its scope the intended operation of coin controlleda paratus whether the lsame be -adapted to de 'ver articles of inerchandise or to make to the de positor some' other return for the coin deposited.

l claim as my invention- 1. In a coin controlled apparatus, a' delivery mechanism adapted to lmake a single delivery ateach operation and to remain inactivel after each operation until operated again; means to set the same forward from L its normal osition and by avsingle operation .-of the setting means through a fplurality of steps-to permit of a plurahty o operations in succession; and means to operate said delivery mechanism successivel in a series of returned' step by step operations itis to its normal position.

2. In la coin controlled apparatus, a delivery mechanism adapted to make a single delivery -ateach loperation and -to remain'A linactiveafter leach operation until operated again; finca-ns to -set the same forward from its normal position and -by'a single operationyof the ksetting means'through a lurality-of steps vto permit of. a plurality o o eratiohs in succession; controlling devicesto etermine the extent of such forward setting of the delivery and independently ac tuated means to operate said delivery mechanism successively in a series of step by step operations until it is turned to its normal position.

3. In a coin controlled apparatus, delivery devices adapted to make a single delivery at each operatlon and to remain inactive after each operation until operated again; controlling ,means therefor capable of being moved in one direction and at a single operation to set the' same to permit of a plurality of operations in succession, and in the opposite direction to ermit successive operation of the delivery devices; devices to move said controlling means forward in the first named direction and by a single operation of the moving means through aplurahty of steps and devices to mbve saidI controlling means successively in la series of step by step operations in the opposite direction until said controlling means are returned to. normal position.

4. In a coin controlled apparatus, delivery devices adapted to make a single delivery at each operation and to -remain inactive after each operation until o erated again; a motor therefor; controlling evices for said motor movable in one direction to set the motor in operation and in the opposite direction to .bring the motor to rest; actuatin devices to advance said controlling means y a single operation through a pluralityy of steps; and

independently operated devices to moveA said controlling means successively in the opposite direction in a series of step by step operations until-said controlling means are returned to normal position.

5. In a coin controlled apparatus, delivery devices adapted to make a single delivery at each operatlon and to remain inactive after each operation until operated again; an electric motor therefor; traveling contacts included in the circuit of said motor; actuating means for moving said contacts in one direction and by a single operation through a plurality of steps to start and continue t e operation of the motor; Jand indpendently actuated means for moving sai contacts successively in the opposite direction in a Series-of step by stepoperations until the moto'r is brought to rest.

6. yIn a coin controlled apparatus, deliver devices; an electric motor therefor; a sha t having oppositely acting ratchets and traveling contacts included in the circuit of the motor; actuating devices-cooperating with one of said ratchets to move said contacts to start and continue the operation of the motor; and independentl actuated devices cooperating With the ot er of said ratchets to move said-contacts step b step through a succession of operations o` the delivery devices until the motor is brought to rest.v

7. In a coin controlled apparatus, delivery mechanism; means to set t esame-forward moving sai sion; aplurality of controllindevices to ac-l tuate said means -in different egrees; and independently operated devices to actuatq` said delivery mechanism step b step through' a` succession of operations unti itis returned to its normal position.

8. In a coin controlled apparatus, delivery devices; controllingmeanstherefor movable in one direction to set the same to permit of a n Aplurality of -operations of said delivery ,devices in succession, and movable in the opposite direction to ermit successive operation of the delivery evices; and a pluralityof controlling devices to actuate said controlling means in different degrees.

9. In a coin controlled apparatus, a delivery mechanismadapted to make a single delivery at each operation and to remain inactive after each operation,` until operated again; means for setting said delivery mechanism at a single step in readiness for a succession of operations; and lmeans for re-settin said delivery mechanism successively in a series of step by step o erations.

10. In a coin controiled apparatus, delivery devices adapted to make a single delive at each operation and to remain inactive a ter each operation until operated again; controlling means therefor movable in one directionto set the delivery devices in readiness for a succession of operations, and in the opposite direction to ermit of a succession of operations of the elivery devices; a pawl mechanismlto move said controllin means in the first named direction throug a succession ofsteps; and an independently oper-f ated paWl mechanism to move -said controlrection in a series of ste by step operations.

1-1. In a coin controlled apparatus', delivery mechanism; movable controlling means therefor; a lurality of actuating devices for moving sai controlling means 1n one direction in different de ees; and means 'for returning said contro ing means to its initial position.

. 12. In a coin-,controlled apparatus, deliverymechanism; movable controlling means therefor; a lurality of 'actuating devices for d) controlling means in one direction, one of said devices being adapted to move said controlling means through a plurality of steps; and means for returning said. controllingmeans to its original position by a series of step by step movements.

This specification signed and witnessed this twentieth day of June, A. D., 196. JOHN A. WESER.

Signed in the presence of- WILLIAM H. WEsEB,

W. W. SMITH. 

